The three of us made it back to the Leaf Village.

On the way over, I couldn't get Mystery Man's voice out of my head. His voice was really deep and had me even more curious about him.

We walked into the Hokage's office and I had a flashback of seeing Kakashi, Obito, and Rin all in here.

I hated Kakko even more for bringing those memories back. 

"What did you find?" Lord Hokage asked.

Asuma started speaking. 

"Well I ran into that thief that Kakashi caught a while ago and recovered the items he stole, but I think Hana found out who was lurking around," He said and looked at me, which was my cue to start talking.

I sighed before speaking. 

"I ran into Kakko," I started. "He was the Stone ninja who attacked my team back in the war. He wanted revenge against Kakashi, so he's been stalking me to try and kidnap me so he could use me as a way to get revenge against Kakashi,"

The Hokage looked surprised.

"Did you confront him?"

"He actually caught me in a trap and then took me back in a cave. He knocked me unconscious and had me tied up, but I was able to escape and I took care of him," I replied. "He fleed after I did, so I'm not sure what happened to him now,"

I used the same lie I used on Asuma. I didn't want to get them involved with Mystery Man since I wasn't sure about him.

"Well, I guess that explains the lurking around," He said. "Asuma, go return the stolen items back to their owners. You guys are dismissed,"

We all started leaving, but the Hokage stopped me.

"Hana, wait, I need to have a word with you," He said.

"What is it, Lord Hokage?" I ask.

"Remember years ago when I told you that those Stone ninjas would want to get their revenge against Minato?" He asks.

I nodded.

"I'm afraid Kakko is just one of them. There are many more and they are well aware that you are his niece. Please be careful, I'll have the ANBU keep an eye out as well just in case they try to attack you again,"

I immediately felt unsettled again. 

I knew that they would come after me after a while, but I hate that they did it now. I have Naruto to watch and now I have to be extra careful about him so they don't try to harm him either.

"I see," I replied. "Thank you for alerting me,"

"I'll let you know if I find anything else out," He said. "But if you know anything, even one small detail about what happened with Kakko, just let me know. It could help us track the others down."

I thought about Mystery Man, but I didn't want to say anything. He probably wasn't that important. He may have been just someone who was passing by and saw it.

Yeah, that's probably it.

"I will," I replied.

He dismissed me after that and I left the office. I heard footsteps walking away quickly and I rose an eyebrow.

Someone was eavesdropping.

I walked out of the Hokage's Tower and now I didn't know what to do.

I wish I could hang out with Kurenai or Anko, but they don't even want to talk to me. They made that clear when they told me they couldn't help me anymore.

"Hana, I'm sorry," Kurenai said.

"But I don't have a problem!" I retorted.

"Yes, you do!" Anko suddenly snapped. "You're changing into a completely different person because of it. You're constantly doing that!" 

"Doing what?" I asked, with hostility.

She pointed to my cup of coffee and aspirin.

"That," Anko said. "We've tried to help you in every way we could. You refused help when we tried to offer it and now you're trying to hide it,"

"It's my life. I can drink if I want to," I said, not looking at them.

"But Hana, we love you," Kurenai said.

I looked back up at her. Their expressions changed. They no longer looked frustrated and now they looked sad.

"We really do, but we can't help you anymore. You're destroying your life and we can't watch you do it anymore," She continued.

My eyes grew a little misty. "So...what are you saying?"

"We're saying we can't be friends anymore..." Anko trailed off, avoiding eye contact. "I can't watch someone else I care for leave..."

I had to wipe my eyes. 

If only I accepted their help, things would be different.

I felt tears threatening to spill, even though I just wiped my eyes. 

"Damnit," I muttered. 

I nearly knocked someone over and I quickly apologized.

"I'm so sorry!"

"Geez, you're still a clutz, aren't you?" 

It was Kakashi. 

"Says the one who was walking and reading at the same time,"

"I was still being watchful of my surroundings," He said. 

I could tell he meant it in a lighthearted way. 

My mind went back to Kakko. Should I tell him about it? I think I will.

"Kakashi, there's something I need to tell you," I said.

"What is it?" He asks, putting the book in his pocket.

"I don't think I should tell you here. Let's go somewhere else," I replied.

He nodded and led the way. We reached his apartment and he invited me inside. 

"So what did you want to tell me?" He asked as I took a seat on his couch.

"I'm really sorry for bringing this up to you again, but do you remember Kakko?" I asked.

His expression grew serious and that told me that I had reminded him of everything he didn't want to think about.

"Why are you asking?"

"Asuma and Kurenai went on a mission with me and he ran into me earlier..." 

Kakashi was looking at me without a word.

"He caught me in a trap and then knocked me unconscious. Once I woke up, I was in a cave and tied up," I explained. "He was imprisoned all these years and escaped, and he was planning to get revenge against you,"

"Revenge against me?" Kakashi asked.

"Yes," I nod. "He was going to use me against you. I'm not sure what that means, but I think he was trying to kill me or something. I reported it back to Lord Hokage and he told me that there are going to be more than one of these guys going after me,"

"Why would they be going after you? If that guy wanted vengeance against me, wouldn't that mean they're trying to get me?" He asked.

"It's because I'm Minato's niece. The Hokage told me about this years ago. He said that they would eventually come looking for me since Minato isn't here anymore and would take it out on me," 

Kakashi looked like he was thinking.

"I thought I should tell you because I know this involves you somewhat too,"

"I'll keep an eye out for you then," Kakashi responded. "What happened with Kakko? How did you get away?"

I don't think telling him about the Mystery Man was a good idea either. 

"I took care of him," I replied. "I'm not sure what happened to him after that because he got away, but I don't think he'll be a problem anymore,"

"If they're going after you because of you being related to our sensei, I think they may come after me too since I used the lightning blade on them,"

"So what should we do then?"

"There's not much we can do. We just need to be on guard," He replied. "Has the Hokage said anything more about it?"

"He said he would alert the ANBU to keep an eye out," 

"I see,"

Kakashi and I both sat in silence for a while, pondering the same thing.

We were both wondering when these guys would start showing themselves and who they were. 

I couldn't help but wonder if Mystery Man was going to be there to help me again too. 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Check out the new cover for this story! I prefer this one over the old one because this new cover fits the story way better. Credit to Kakashi_hatake78 for the new cover. Sorry this chapter is short. The next chapter should be longer than this.